My Rosy Life

Fab Feb

2010-01-07T17:54:18Z

I'm on my lunch & my computer's being a butt, so I might as well update this thing. I'm excited about next month. February is going to be so fun! I have my birthday & Valentine's Day & Mardi Gras to all look forward to. AND I get my tax refund.

I booked a hotel a block off Bourbon for my birthday weekend, The Andrew Jackson. It's beautiful, historical, convenient, and best of all - HAUNTED! Supposedly, several children died in a fire there & people report hearing them in the courtyard during the night. Oh yeah, I ordered my ghosthunting starter kit yesterday! The equipment includes an EMF reader, EVP listener, motion detector & remote thermometer. Can't wait to try them out!

I should really go ahead & book a restaurant for Valentine's Day, too. Hmmm... What shall it be??? Melting Pot maybe?

I wish it would warm up so I can rollerblade & walk Milly. And so I won't mind getting out of bed so much.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Scattered Polaroids

2010-01-06T20:35:20Z

Today, I made this:

out of this:

I love this so much! Now, back to boring old algebra (factoring polynomials - bleh!).

Mardi Gras & Mexican Grub

2010-01-06T16:45:02Z

I LOVE the black & white with color accent! In my latest Photoshop excursion, I used that technique again, but this time I added a filter that darkens the edges to make the center subject pop. It's ever so slight, because though I don't want the focus on the background, I feel it is still integral to the integrity of the photo. This is Sydney in 2002 (She was 3) on Canal Street.

Something else that captures the true essence of Mardi Gras: these beads!

The head bobbles, too! I picked them up at the Beef Jerky Outlet (Yes, it's a real store). They give free samples of the hottest sauce in the world.

Immediately, the counter clerk instructed them where to throw up if they needed to, because the surrounding businesses are particular about that. One's ears turned red. They were dying! It was awesome!

The store was right next to this new restaurant, El Rancho. The decor was better than the food. Still in all, it was a great time!

Griese Monkeys

2010-01-05T21:59:38Z

Syd & I fought the hell that is Walmart at 5 AM on Black Friday to get Rock Band, and to the dismay of the many sad people in line behind us, we got the very last one! And it was worth ALL 5,000 PENNIES! (No, I didn't pay for it with pennies - but I'm not above it.)

We call our family band The Griese Monkeys (It's a pun on David's last name). Here are the monkey men:

Sydney was throwing up rock signs looking all cool and stuff.

So I wanted to look cool, too.

I think that's sign language for Y or something. But I looked cooler than Frankie laying on the ground playing the guitar:

He looks more like he's throwing a tantrum or something. :) And no rock show is complete until somebody takes their shirt off.

It had to be Frankie, because he's so in love with his bod (snicker.)

So much fun!

2010 Celebration

2010-01-04T18:56:32Z

This weekend was amazing fun! I will start with New Years celebration. We rang it in with good friends.

(Cindy & me)

I even got Mom to come.

She had a good time, but I could tell she's lonely. :( (We're going to work on that this year.) She's enjoying one of my Washington apple martinis. They were a HUGE hit, by the way. Yay!

You can't tell that much, but they're covered in giant rhinestones, which match the rhinestone buttons on my dress. (I should have taken a picture of my dress.)

The cold weather was good for cuddling up by the fire.

(Neil & Cindy)

This lovely night brought to you by our gracious hosts, Tara and Stephen.

But the MOST fun of the weekend was playing Rock Band Saturday night! Pictures to come.

The Sweetest Kiss Ever Captured on Film

2009-12-31T17:48:17Z

This is what I've been working on in Photoshop today. I turned this:

into this:

- which I believe I will make (gasp!) an icon!

Goodbye, Tweens!

2009-12-31T15:43:50Z

This year was tough, as every year before. For once, I would like to have a year I wouldn't mind repeating. And I hate to sound negative, but I can foresee some seriously tough obstacles in the coming year already. Life is kind of like driving: No matter how careful you are, somebody could side swipe you - or hell, plow into you head-on. I don't know how this year will turn out, but I know it will bring profound change. My goal will be to make that change a positive one - at least, as much so as within my power.

On this last day of the decade, I decided to forego floor exercises for fixing my hair. This is the first time I straightened it with the bumpit. I love it! It's sleek & sexy. This is how I will wear it tonight, except I will don a 2010 crown. We got paid a day early - yay! - and if they let us off early (I think they will!), I will go shopping for a new party dress to wear to Stephen & Tara's tonight! It's BYOB plus a finger food. I'm bringing Washington apple martinis & prosciutto-wrapped pears (two recipes I am testing for Jenny's upcoming housewarming party, which I will be hosting).

Oh yeah, pictures from the Messengers.

They actually had this photo op this year. It was really magical! They had lots of new displays.

- like the LSU football player behind David & Frankie throwing the ball to Santa (OS - That means off screen for you non-film folk).

We tried to get Frankie to stick his tongue to it, but (sigh) he saw the movie. ;)

I intend to avoid as much work as possible today. I need new LJ icons - some I may actually use... I don't know. Now I must go and play with Photoshop, my new love.

Christmas Cheer

2009-12-30T16:07:29Z

The first weekend I had the kids after Thanksgiving, we decorated the tree, and I let the kids each open one gift.

We played Christmas music and drank egg nog.

What are they doing? Swishing it in their mouths??? See that little tree in the background. That was my temporary. It was up for a week. Now it's in my kitchen.

Sydney wrapped David up in her hat & scarf

I think Milly wore it better.

One of my favorite memories of Christmas was going to the Messengers' Christmas Land. It's just this family in Plantation Estates that goes all out with electrically engineered displays and lights; and they've done it for like 50 years or something. It's pretty cool. Pictures to come...

For your enjoyment

2009-12-29T21:38:37Z

This is the first thing I shot with my new digicam. I'm harassing David while he's brushing his teeth. Watch as he shoots toothpaste in his eye. :)

Stay tuned as I harass more friends and family with my new toy!

Photoshop fun!

2009-12-29T18:39:23Z

While playing around with Photoshop, I discovered this cool filter called "cut out." It makes photos look comic-strippy. So automatically, I thought of Frankie. So I did a project with his photo, using it and incorporating his favorite color combination (Superman colors). I think it looks very Andy Warholish. I think it will make a great piece of art for his room if I print it out on canvas.

Time for getting!

2009-12-29T16:13:03Z

My mom got me this awesome Paul Frank monkey bath coverup, which she knew I would love because it matches my Paul Frank monkey phone cover!

She also got me a bumpit!

I already wear a bump in my hair. This will keep me from breaking my hair from too much teasing. I got three different sizes. This is the medium one.

Earrings came with it, too, but I forgot to pack them. :/ She really has my taste down pat now. This is the cool patchwork purse she got me for my last birthday.

It's one of two I use everyday. In addition, my kids got me a kitchen chopper and a slicer. I used the chopper for Christmas dinner. Can't wait to use the slicer! I'm going to make vegie chips and frites. David got me an antique pearl set with fleur de lis charms, which can be layered together or each worn separately. I already mentioned the video camera. I think that's it.....

Newness

2009-12-28T15:58:10Z

I enjoyed Christmas, but I am so glad it's over! Since I can now focus on me, I feel like the new year has already come. But alas, it hasn't. And that is a party still yet to be had! Anyway, in spite of this cold, I feel.... fresh. I did my floor exercises this morning. I walked Milly. I wrote on my cookbook. I'm about to play in Photoshop, and then Pinnacle (David got me a video camera!) I can't rollerblade on my lunch as I would like, as I think my rollerblades blew up with my Sebring. But I brought my jump rope and hoolah hoop to David's, which I plan to alternate each night. (That's a fun show to watch!)

I got some cool stuffs for Christmas! And I've planned every aspect of Jenny's housewarming party. This weekend, I will make coasters, candle holders, wine charms, a runner & napkins, I will also try out various recipes, including the Washington Apple Martini, which will be mine and David's drink du soir for New Years Eve. I'm starting to think about my birthday! Jenny & I will celebrate our birthdays together (They're a week apart) with a haunted ghost tour. I plan to have my ghosthunting tools by then. Fun, fun!

I'll share pics & videos shortly.

Party Planner

2009-12-23T22:35:36Z

I didn't write on my cookbook today. I was too aggitated and didn't want it to affect my writing. So instead, I played in Photoshop, making stuff for Jenny's upcoming housewarming party (She bought a condo!). I'm going with a black and white damask theme with teal as an accent color.

They will fold in half so the bottom half is what will be visible. I also made this with a chandellier design because I LOVE it and I think it fits well with the damask and the whole housewarming theme in general; but I don't know what I'm going to use it for yet. Suggestions will be helpful!

I also made invitations, but I'll probably just use evite.com because it's zero expense and I think it's neat. I downloaded a damask votive cover too. I just print it on vellum paper and adhere it with two-sided tape. I'll then wrap a teal ribbon around it. It will be so cute! I'll probably get a teal table cover and some damask fabric for a runner.

I'll be perfecting the recipes on the menu I've devised ahead of time:

Washington apple martinis
Proscuitto-wrapped pears
Baked camembert with apricot preserves
Home-made Hawaiian sweet bread with strawberry butter
Raspberry-walnut salad

I guess I should think about some dessert-type things.....

First hand

2009-12-23T15:27:31Z

I tried my hand at my first Photoshop experiment. Since I couldn't get David's girls in a Christmas photo with us, I digitally made it so. It's not perfect, and I could do better if I worked on it more, but I got tired of it. I don't think it's half bad for the first week of class, though. I learned cloning and layering. I need to work on feathering masks, retouching blemishes, and red-eye removal.

I made this:

Aspirations

2009-12-21T20:29:27Z

I am really enjoying the holidays this year. I'm proud of myself because I started early, which has taken a lot of the stress I usually experience out of the mix. My family (both sides) demand my cooking, which feels incredible! I'm really enjoying "giving." I've perfected my treats and made some cool infused vinegars for people. They came out so pretty, I'm thinking about making more & selling them at the farmer's market. I'm thinking of doing infused vodkas for next year. With Christmas coming to a close soon, I'm thinking about the coming year. What do I want out of it?

I want to take more photos. My Photoshop class oughta help me do that. I want to make digital art & frame it. Maybe I can even sell it.

I want to travel more. I'm planning a family trip to Universal Studios when the new Harry Potter park opens this spring. David is planning to go to Comicon next summer, at which time I will take a girls trip - Chicago, maybe? And David & I are overdue for a vacation together. I'm thinking all-inclusive resort!

I want to start my business up again. But not doing something miserable for the sake of money - something I love. Something crafty. Not jewelry. I'd rather do something with food and/or photos.

Speaking of food, I want to write a cookbook. I have some original ideas for two different ones. Ultimately, I want my own cooking show. But guess what I need for that? A camera.

So there's another goal: a video camera. I want to fill up my almost blank Youtube page with shorts.

Something else I want to get into this year? Ghost hunting! Did you know you can buy the tools at the Ghost Hunters Website?! You probably did know that, huh? Well, I wanna do that. I want to start a meetup group for it. And you know what? I can probably partner with supposedly haunted places and charge groups to do it. Stuff I love + money = happy Lana.

I want to start rollerblading on my lunch for two reasons: 1) I need more exercise. 2) I need more rollerblading in my life. I actually tried to start today, but I accidentally grabbed David's rollerblades instead of my own. :/

I want to restart my herb garden. Last year, I accidentally left them out when a freeze came through. :( I only cook with fresh herbs, and they get expensive. Ooh, I could sell excess at the farmer's market, too! Money, money, money!

What's left? I want to get my movie made.

I think I'll Photoshop a dream board.

Puppy Love

2009-12-11T17:58:28Z

I'm going to frame this picture of Tye when he was a puppy for Stephen & Tara.

He's huge now, and I know they don't realize I have this picture.

While sorting through pics, I found these other cute ones. This of Fancy, Jenny's dog.

And another of Tye and David.

Christmas Card

2009-12-10T15:43:49Z

I ordered our Christmas cards. The cover had spaces for four pictures. These are the ones I chose:

Our group shot (David's girls were MIA):

I wish you could see Milly's Christmas dress better. It's so cute!

From last year:

And my darling Milly:

I really wanted to include this one of Jack on the front, but it didn't fit into any of the spaces right without having to delete one of the others, so I put it in the inside:

The inside needed Christmasing up anyway, because David's girls weren't around for me to get any Christmasy pictures of them. I had to choose some others I could find. This one David took of Brittney and Cinnamon:

And this one I took from Stacey's myspace:

I wanted to include these, but there was no room, so I added them to a mug for David's mom:

Sydney getting crazy with wire ribbon:

And Frankie ice skating last year:

Jonas

2009-12-04T16:08:10Z

I took Sydney to the Jonas Brothers' concert. Her best friend friend, Britney went, too.

Here they are excitedly holding their precious floor tickets.

Syd's shirt says, "I [heart] rocker boys!" :)

She wrote in it, "I hope you like pickles." :)

We were on the second row.

Nick is Sydney's crush (though he's since been replaced by Taylor Lautner - the werewolf from Twilight).

When they performed on an elevated platform, we couldn't see them or the panoramic screen above, but Britney said they had the camera on us for a long time. Ha!

Joe never took Sydney's pickle card, so at the end she threw it up on the stage, hoping he would get it. Then the rain they used in the show came down as a last special effect & ruined it. :/

Premier

2009-12-03T16:15:24Z

The lovely Robin Givens steps onto the red carpet.

Afterwards, we got pictures with her.

Mom had to get one by herself with Robin.

Aaron sported this cool studded jacket.

This is the project Aaron has to finish before producing my movie. He's now in the distribution phase. I'm just afraid he's going to get consumed with this and I'm going to get left in the dust. I'm going to clean up my script (ie. remove the directorial notes) and start sending it out randomly.

Halloween

2009-12-02T16:52:39Z

I went as Lady Gaga.

Somebody else did, too; but I think my costume was better.

Those "bubbles" are clear Christmas ornaments. I'm decorating them and giving them as gifts for Christmas. I'm so frugal!

State Fair

2009-12-01T22:47:51Z

Syd & I rode the Tornado together.

I also took one of me on it.

Amazingly, I got a semi-unblurry pic of the girls (Syd & Jami) on the Himalaya.

My purpose

2009-10-29T16:00:39Z

I have found my purpose: exposing inequities in the justice system and creating change to right them. My first challenge will be to shine light upon the laws and attitudes of authorities that actually encourage cruelty to animals and punish kindness towards them. I have already started.

Scholarship competion video

2009-05-28T14:26:03Z

I would really appreciate it if you all would take a look at my scholarship competition video on youtube. It's partly judged on popularity, so please post it in your own journals & tell all your friends about it! Thanks! Does anybody know: Is this appropriate to post in Baton Rouge livejournal?